Assessment of Vitamin and Mineral Intakes in Paralympic Athletes in Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Paralympic games are the most important competitions for disabled people in the world. Nowadays the role of nutrition is undeniable in physical exercises and the deficiency of micronutrients leads to poor performance by athletes, so our aim was to assess vitamin and mineral intakes in elite Paralympic athletes in Tabriz. Methods: Thirty-five elite Paralympic athletes (24 men and 11 women) took part in this study. Three-day self-reported food diaries were analyzed for vitamins and nutrients and were checked against the dietary reference intakes (DRIs). The Data were analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk, one sample test and independent sample test were used for checking the normality, and were compared with DRIs in terms of the nutrients intake. In addition, a comparison was made between male and female athletes. Results:The results indicated that the intake of vitamins E and D, potassium, fluorine, chromium, molybdenum in all athletes, vitamin K, magnesium, folate in men, and biotin and calcium in women was significantly lower than DRIs (P < 0.05). Vitamin A, biotin and calcium in men, pantothenic acid, folate, B2, B12, K, magnesium, sodium intake in women, zinc and manganese intake in all athletes had no significant differences with DRIs. However, vitamin B1, B3, B6 and C, phosphorus, copper, iron in all athletes and B2, B12, pantothenic acid & sodium in men were significantly higher than DRIs (P < 0.05). Conclusion:The intake of several important vitamins and minerals by these Paralympic athletes was lower than the standard value. Given the importance of vitamins and minerals for repairing muscle tissues, recovering in exercises and improving performance in competitive levels, athletes need to pay attention to their diets and improve food choices.

Nutrient Adequacy in Endurance Athletes

“…This may be partly because of their greater intake of foods such as fruit that contain water [ 53 ]. Several studies have found that athletes do not meet the recommendations for total water, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, manganese, chromium, zinc, molybdenum, and selenium and consume too much sodium [ 9 , 16 , 20 , 21 , 24 , 27 , 61 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. Water and electrolytes are needed for fluid balance and poor hydration can negatively affect training sessions and performance and lead to heat exhaustion, particularly in the southern regions of the U.S. where the majority of our study sample resided [ 61 ].…”

“…In contrast to these findings multiple studies have found that many athletes consume more total fat than the recommended amount (20–35% energy) [ 15 , 16 , 19 ]. Besides inadequate consumption of several macronutrients, many athletes have reported inadequate intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B 6 , vitamin B 12 , pantothenic acid, biotin, folate, vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, selenium, and magnesium [ 9 , 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Further, female athletes are less likely to meet the recommendations for iron intake compared to male athletes [ 9 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 27 ] and female athletes may have lower intakes of vitamin B 12 [ 28 ].…”